FRANKENMUTH, MI — Wally Bronner founded a store that in a town of fewer than 5,000 people attracts more than 2 million visitors a year.

But his legacy in Frankenmuth is beyond Bronner's Christmas Wonderland — it extends through the entire city known as Michigan's Little Bavaria.

Bronner died in April 2008 at age 81. He founded Bronner's in the 1954 as an expansion of his existing sign-painting business.

“We can still feel Wally on the streets,” said Sheila Stamaris, Frankenmuth Downtown Development director.

Frankenmuth is decked out for Christmas with more than 100,000 lights and some decorations that are about 40 years old.

That influence is Bronner's.

Bronner was the architect of Frankenmuth’s Christmas décor. He drew well-designed plans by hand and was a master at reengineering those plans, Stamaris said.

Bronner was an original member of the Beautification Committee, founded 58 years ago. The committee remains in charge of Frankenmuth’s holiday decorations and the city's look throughout the year.

He participated with the committee for 53 years until his death in 2008.

Aside from the decorations, Bronner contributed to the spirit of the holiday season in the town, Stamiris said.

Bronner's son-in-law Chris Sutorik, who now is chairman of the Beautification Committee, said having Wally as a family member gave him a different perspective of the man.

"He was pretty much the same person at home as he was at the business or in the community," Sutorik said.

Sutorik, who is also the visual team manager for Bronner's, said he learned a lot about business from Bronner especially how to treat people.

Lori Libka, Bronner's communication's assistant, said Bronner's Christian faith led him to appreciate the real meaning of Christmas.

"The biggest thing that I learned from him was the importance of joy in life and in Christmas celebration," she said.

Each year, he made an ornament with the word 'Joy.'

Although Bronner made a living by selling Christmas ornaments and decor, Libka said, "He used to say, 'You don’t really have to buy decorations, the important thing is your heart is decorated for the Christmas season.' "

Bavarian Inn Lodge President Judy Zehnder Keller remembers Wally Bronner as a man who cared about his faith, family and the community.

She recalled inviting Bronner to decorate the interior of two rooms at the Bavarian Inn Lodge that were named for the Bronner family. Zehnder Keller said she thought portraits of the family could part of the design.